WHY DON'T YOU BREAK 70

On the European Tour last week Jaime Donaldson from Wales won the Irish Open at the famous Royal Portrush Golf Club. This might not sound like anything special apart from this being Jaime’s first victory on the main tour.Dig deeper and its taken 12 years and 255 starts for Jaime to achieve this feat. He turned pro in 2000 and played the Challenge Tour for a couple of years before gaining his full card in 2002 and kept his card for 5 years before injury forced him back to the Challenge Tour. In 2008 he regained his full card on the main tour and has made steady improvement each year with a career best finish of 38th in the Race to Dubai in 2011. An 18 under total with a 66 in the final round was good enough to win by four shots.

A story of perseverance and in his post victory interview Jaime spoke about sticking to his plan and he never doubted he would win one day. At 38 years of age and like Jason Dufner on the PGA Tour another late bloomer their persistence and self belief have allowed them to taste success at the highest level later rather than earlier in their career.

Tatiana Qualifies For US Ladies Amateur Championship Lawrie and I received a message from a very excited young lady PTGC’s Tatiana Wijaya who shot 68 and won her qualifying section to play in the US Ladies Amateur Championship at the Country Club in Cleveland Ohio from the 6th to 12th of August. What a great result for the recently turned 16 year old and will join another PTGC student Whitney Hillier in the field.

Whitney with Bre Elliott at the US Open

Whitney Hillier is Spending a Week With Karrie Webb at the US Womens Open Whitney is spending this week with Karrie Webb at the US Ladies Open in Wisconsin and is having an unforgettable experience that will hold her in good stead for the future. Best of luck to Karrie attempting to add to her seven Major titles she has won.

Up and Downs For RanceRance De Grussa is experiencing the ups and downs of life as a professional golfer on tour. After making the cut and a cheque last week on the Asian Development Tour he missed the cut by 1 stroke this week. Disappointed is an understatement but after speaking with Rance he knows where he can improve his game for next week and will devote the rest of the week sharpening his skills so he is ready and able for next time.

As we move onto the second half of 2012 the pressure starts to increase for those tour professionals who are not doing so well. Only the top 125 on the PGA Tour and 115 on the European tour retain their full playing privileges’ for next year.

This is where a good golf periodisation plan will help you to reduce the urge to hit the panic button and stop making decisions based on emotion rather than sticking to a plan like Jaime Donaldson has and believing in yourself and your support team until your break through.